"I hope it wasn't Keith starting them, that was my only concern," Maloney told Sporting News with a laugh.

General managers typically don't get in the business of shooting down rumors, because that alone can become a full-time job. But Maloney made an exception for this one.

"Listen, that was just pure, utter fantasy. Keith is an important part of our future. He knows it," Maloney said. "Not that anybody can't be traded ... But it would have to be something very special."

Maloney had coffee with Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli in Ottawa, perhaps sparking the trade talk that centers on the Bruins. Yandle, 24, hasn't spoken with Maloney about the rumors and has blocked out the distraction by remembering the simple math that goes with rumors.

"I would say 10 percent of them come true," Yandle said Thursday.

And that's being generous.

Yandle, a Boston native, is coming off a breakout season in which he had 12 goals and 41 points. He is being paid a reasonable $1.3 million this season and can become a restricted free agent this summer.

Maloney said he spoke with Yandle's agent about a contract extension in the offseason, but things are on hold until the Coyotes' ownership situation stabilizes. Plus, Yandle is a difficult player to place a value on at this point of his career.

"We want to see how he plays. He had a real good productive year last year. If he can build on that, he's probably worth X. If he doesn't, he's probably worth Y," Maloney said. "He's still evolving."

Like Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke mentioned earlier this week, Maloney has noticed an increase in trade talk, at least in part because of the Coyotes' struggles. Phoenix entered Thursday's game at Detroit 2-3-3, good for No. 14 in the Western Conference. To steal a line from Burke, competing GMs are always willing to offer up an anchor when times get tough.

While Maloney would like to see more victories, and a return to the hockey that made Phoenix one of last season's surprise teams, he's not panicking, either. During Wednesday's off day in Detroit, coach Dave Tippett said he addressed many of the issues that have dogged the Coyotes. Neither Tippett nor Maloney has seen enough of the defensively sound, good-without-the-puck hockey that won games last season.

"The inconsistency in our team is something that bothered us," Tippett said. "To play well for one game and the next game get away from our values, that's hard for us to take."

If the inconsistencies continue, then the changes may come. That much, Maloney would confirm.

"We're determined to get back to (last year's style of play). If that means sacrificing some skill to get back there, that's what we're going to do," Maloney said. "It's too early for us to say, 'Let's blow this thing up.' But we may have to tweak a few things."